Dr. Panchanathan, an Arizonan, is the Executive Vice President of the ASU Knowledge Enterprise and serves as Senior Advisor for Science and Technology to Governor Doug Ducey
WASHINGTON – Today, Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan of Arizona was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Director of the National Science Foundation.
“Dr. Panchanathan has dedicated his life to public service through the advancement of education, science, and innovation to address challenging issues in Arizona, the United States, and across the globe. The National Science Foundation is in great hands with him serving as director,” said Sinema.
Dr. Panchanathan is the Executive Vice President of the ASU Knowledge Enterprise, and his leadership helped make ASU the fastest-growing research university in the United States. Dr. Panchanathan’s research focuses on human-centered multimedia computing, haptic user interfaces, computing technologies for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities, and machine learning for multimedia applications. Dr. Panchanathan has published more than 500 papers in refereed journals and has mentored nearly 150 graduate students, post-doctoral professionals, research engineers, and research scientists.
In recognition of his contributions, President Obama appointed Dr. Panchanathan as the first Indian American to serve on the U.S. National Science Board. Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Pritzker nominated Dr. Panchanathan to the National Advisory Council on Innovation and Entrepreneurship. In Arizona, Dr. Panchanathan serves as Senior Advisor for Science and Technology to Governor Doug Ducey.